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review

Exposure Boost-R with ReAKT and Peloton

9
£90.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Excellent rear light with impressive runtimes, a high build quality and useful features
Bright
Several modes
Good runtimes
Great build quality
Pricey
Weight: 
60g
road.cc Recommends

This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

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The Exposure Boost-R with ReAKT and Peloton is an excellent rear light that provides very good visibility and impressive runtimes along with a couple of cool features that lift its performance above the norm. This puts it right up there with the lights in our best rear lights buyer's guide.

> Buy now: Exposure Boost-R with ReAKT and Peloton for £90 from Tredz

In creating the new Boost-R, Exposure has taken the highly regarded Trace-R – which scored a whopping nine out of 10 when reviewed here on road.cc – and doubled the runtimes while adding just 10g to the weight. The result is really impressive.

What you get here is an anodised 6063 aluminium body that contains a 1400 mAh Li-Ion battery and a red XPE-R LED. The aluminium is tough – as is the thick plastic lens – although, not surprisingly, the anodising can mark if you drop it.

You get to choose between various different programs using Exposure's Optimised Mode Selector system. You just press the function button until the LED flashes once to select mode one, press it until the LED flashes twice for mode two, and so on. Simple. The light remains in the mode you've selected until you change it, no matter if you turn it off or recharge it.

2022 Exposure BOOST-R with ReAKT and Peloton - detail.jpg

You don't need to remember the details of each mode because they're written on the side of the body. Mode one is the brightest, giving you a six-hour run time with constant light or 12 hours if you prefer it to flash. The figures for mode three are 24 hours and 48 hours respectively.

On top of those, you get two of Exposure's other existing functions, ReAKT and Peloton, which you can turn on or off.

ReAKT means that there's an accelerometer tucked away inside that makes the light flare up to 150 lumens when you brake. I wouldn't say I've ever felt that bikes need brake lights, but it does work well to draw extra attention from other road users when you slow down.

2022 Exposure BOOST-R with ReAKT and Peloton - 2.jpg

The ReAKT tech also allows the light to 'intelligently adapt to the surrounding ambient light conditions to maintain maximum contrast and visibility', according to Exposure. For example, if you turn from a dark area to a road with streetlights, the LED brightens to keep up the contrast. Again, this feature works really well.

The Peloton feature is designed for group riding at night. Essentially, the Boost-R recognises when there's a front bike light right behind you and automatically dims. The idea is to prevent dazzling in a chain gang, the auto-adjustment working to keep the rider behind happy. The light resumes its usual intensity when the front light is no longer there – so when you're at the back of the pack.

Exposure says that the light sensor is 'tuned' to reduce lumen output only when a light is directly behind it, and then it only reduces to a level that's still visible to traffic, so there's no danger from car headlights.

It's not going to make or break the deal for most people, but Peloton is a nifty little addition – especially given that the Boost-R is very bright in its upper setting.

One more thing to note on the functioning of the light itself is that you get a fuel gauge that tells you how much juice is left in the battery. Each time you turn the light off, it'll glow for a few seconds, the colour indicating whether you need to recharge or not.

2022 Exposure BOOST-R with ReAKT and Peloton - USB port.jpg

Speaking of recharging, that's done via a Micro USB charge cable that comes in the pack. The port is positioned below a tight rubber ring that sits towards the head of the light so no water can get in.

The Exposure Boost-R comes with an IP65 rating, which means it's dust-tight and that water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) from any direction will have no harmful effects. In the real world, I've been using this on every ride over the winter, including plenty of wet ones, and no water has got inside.

2022 Exposure BOOST-R with ReAKT and Peloton - mount.jpg

The Boost-R fits to your bike via a quarter-turn mount that's held in place by a stretchy rubber strap. As with something like a Garmin computer, nothing happens if you just try to turn the light on the mounting. You need to push it inward slightly and then turn in order to remove the light, so it's virtually impossible that it'll ever come out accidentally.

In reality, I rarely took the light out of the mount, I just removed the whole thing from the bike when it was time for recharging, mount and all. It's a two-second job to remove or replace the rubber strap, so it makes little difference.

Value

There are certainly cheaper rear lights out there (if you want to go really cheap, the Prime 360 Super Bright Rear Light that Shaun reviewed is currently £9.99 on Wiggle) but the Exposure Boost-R is far from a bog-standard blinky. The materials and build quality are high and it's made in Britain.

On top of that, the ReAKT technology is really strong and the Peloton feature could be useful to you too. All of this elevates the price. Personally, I'm happy to pay a higher price for something if I'm getting a higher quality and performance. That seems reasonable, so I think that the Boost-R offers decent value.

Compared with other lights from the Exposure stable, the Boost-R with ReAKT and Peloton has twice the runtimes of the equivalent TraceR and costs £25 more. I'd say that's worth it, and I certainly think it's a better proposition than the £115 Exposure Blaze MK3 ReAKT + Peloton that offers very similar technology.

Overall, the Exposure Boost-R with ReAKT and Peloton is a great little light. It's bright enough to get you seen whatever the conditions, you can select from a range of different modes, and the ReAKT and Peloton features are genuinely useful rather than gimmicky extras. Add in excellent materials and build quality and you've got yourself an outstanding light that should last you years.

Verdict

Excellent rear light with impressive runtimes, a high build quality and useful features

road.cc test report

Make and model: Exposure Boost-R with ReAKT and Peloton

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the light is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Exposure says, "The BOOST-R ReAKT takes the hugely popular form of the Trace R and creates a rear light with twice the burn times with just a 10-gram increase in weight. New quarter-turn locking bracket to ensure the BOOST R is safe and secure. ReAKT (Ambient Kinetic Technology) is the latest innovation, automatically adapting the light to conditions, flaring up to 150 lumens under braking or entering brighter environments, with the addition of PELOTON mode allowing the BOOST to dim when the light from the rider behind is detected."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the light?

Exposure lists these features:

LEDs: 1 x Red XPE-R

IP Rating: IP65

Max Lumens: 80 (150 ReAKT Flare)

Battery: 1400 mAh Li-Ion

Runtime: 6 - 48 Hours

Charging Time: 3 Hours

Dimensions (mm): Length - 66, Head - 28, Back – 22

Weight: 45g

Material: Anodised 6063 Aluminium

In The Box: Boost-R ReAKT, Seatpost Mount, Micro USB Charge Cable, QS Guide

ReAKT

Rear lighting that flares up automatically under braking. It can also intelligently adapt to the surrounding ambient light conditions to maintain maximum contrast and visibility, for example brightening for street lit areas and moving into sunlight from shade

OMS

Various programs in the lights can easily be selected to offer a choice of run times and modes so you can find the right one for your ride, be it an all-night adventure or an intense blast.

ITM

Patented circuitry within the light will reduce power to the LEDs, if they go beyond the optimum temperature, keeping the light as efficient as possible to maximise output and battery capacity. Once the light has cooled, the power is automatically restored.

Fuel Gauge

Using a traffic light system remaining runtime is easily monitored at a glance so you're not caught out. The colour feedback is also used for mode selection, before defaulting back to runtime.

Day Bright

Bespoke pulse pattern designed for daylight use which is more conspicuous than a regular pulse and visible over a kilometre away, even in the brightest conditions. DayBright mode will you noticed. Be Seen be Safe

Peloton Mode

Enables the rear lights to automatically dim down when the front light of the rider behind is detected, preventing dazzling in a chain gang, it then flares when at the back of the pack for maximum safety.

Rate the light for quality of construction:
 
9/10

The anodised aluminium body sets it apart from most (not all) rear lights. It's a tough and strong construction.

Rate the light for design and ease of use. How simple was the light to use?
 
9/10

Changing between modes is simple and the details for each are written on the side of the light. Then it's just a double click to turn it on and a press and hold to turn it off.

Rate the light for the design and usability of the clamping system/s
 
7/10

There's no angle or tube size adjustment on the clamp, but it'll fit most round or roundish seat tubes and seat posts. The clamp is held in place by a rubber strap. A simple quarter-turn system connects the light to the clamp. It's simple and secure.

Rate the light for waterproofing. How did it stand up to the elements?
 
9/10

It has an IP65 rating – meaning it's dust-tight and that water projected by a nozzle (6.3mm) from any direction will have no harmful effects. No water at all has got inside during extensive testing.

Rate the light for battery life. How long did it last? How long did it take to recharge?
 
9/10

Constant ranges from six to 24 hours depending on the mode you choose. You can get between 12 and 48 hours with the light flashing.

Charging time is around three hours.

Rate the light for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the light for durability:
 
9/10

After several months of winter use, the anodising has very slightly rubbed on a very small area where the body of the light touches the mount. Apart from that – and a bit of ingrained dirt that I'm sure I could remove if I really wanted to – it looks as good as new.

Rate the light for weight:
 
8/10

I'm not going to get too worked up about the weight of a rear light but you get twice the runtimes of Exposure's Trace-R for the addition of just 10g.

Rate the light for value:
 
7/10

There are cheaper lights out there, but this is better than most of them.

Tell us how the light performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It does its job really well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the light

The overall high quality and decent runtimes.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the light

Nothing, really. If you don't want the ReAKT or Peloton features, you can buy the Boost R – DayBright for £70.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

There are certainly cheaper rear lights out there (if you want to go really cheap, the Prime 360 Super Bright Rear Light that we reviewed is currently £9.99 on Wiggle) but the Exposure Boost-R is far from a bog-standard blinky. The materials and build quality are high and it's made in Britain.

On top of that, the ReAKT technology is really strong and the Peloton feature could be useful to you too. All of this elevates the price. Personally, I'm happy to pay a higher price for something if I'm getting a higher quality and performance. That seems reasonable, so I think that the Boost-R offers decent value.

Compared with other lights from the Exposure stable, the Boost-R with ReAKT and Peloton has twice the runtimes of the equivalent TraceR and costs £25 more. I'd say that's worth it and I certainly think it's a better proposition than the £115 Exposure Blaze MK3 ReAKT + Peloton which offers very similar technology.

Did you enjoy using the light? Yes

Would you consider buying the light? Yes

Would you recommend the light to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Excellent light with some really good features. Like the Exposure TraceR MK2 With ReAKT And Peloton that we reviewed in the past, Exposure TraceR MK2 With ReAKT And Peloton it's a 9.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 190cm  Weight: 80kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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19 comments

Avatar
wycombewheeler | 1 year ago
0 likes

"The light remains in the mode you've selected until you change it, no matter if you turn it off or recharge it."

seems like they have upped their game, I often find my strada lights have reset to mode 1, instead of mode 3, resulting in much shorter run times

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fenix | 1 year ago
0 likes

I bought the front light version for my new bike but it has those trendy one piece carbon flat bars.
Apparently exposure don't have any brackets yet for flat handlebars?
Anyone found a solution?

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OnYerBike replied to fenix | 1 year ago
0 likes

Exposure do have a mount for aero handlebars for some of their front lights, but it requires the light to be relatively long and so I suspect won't work well with the Boost (https://www.exposure-use.com/Brands/Exposure-Lights/Products/Bike/Bracke...

My suggestion would be to see if you can find an out-front style mount with a GoPro mount underneath, then use a GoPro style mount. Exposure don't sell a standalone GoPro mount which is odd given they do use a GoPro style attachment for some of their helmet mounts (e.g. this), so you could probably just use one of those without the helmet bit! Alternatively, GoPro style mounts are readily available from 3rd party suppliers such as 76Projects

The out-front style mount you need would appear to be very much handlebar specific. Depending on the handlebar, you might be able to find either a clamp style (e.g. this) or a direct mount (e.g. this).

Another option if the above isn't viable would be to get in touch with one of the 3D printing companies (e.g. the aforementioned 76Projects; r3pro; RaceWare etc.) and ask if they could develop something suitable. I'm sure I found one such website that offered you the prototype for free if they felt there would be sufficient demand to design the product for general sale, but can't remember which one!

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Shake | 1 year ago
0 likes

I've actually stopped taking my Exposure rear light off with the mount and all as I found a split in the rubber band. I assume from taking it off all the time. 

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HoarseMann replied to Shake | 1 year ago
1 like
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Shake replied to HoarseMann | 1 year ago
1 like

Thanks, I did. It was more of a helpful warning to anyone else that does this before they loose their entire light by accident

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HoarseMann replied to Shake | 1 year ago
0 likes

ah, fair enough. Looks like they have options for rack mounting and under saddle too.

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wycombewheeler replied to HoarseMann | 1 year ago
0 likes
HoarseMann wrote:

ah, fair enough. Looks like they have options for rack mounting and under saddle too.

the also sell mounts for putting the trace front lights on aero extensions, which can be nicely utilised (with a bit a old inner tube as a shim) for mounting a traceR on the seat stays, for those who  have some sort of saddle pack occupying their seatpost and saddle.

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Sriracha | 1 year ago
1 like

I guess some people will be OK with micro-USB, but I would not choose to be kept tied to it, and there is plenty of choice to be had with bike lights.

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IanGlasgow replied to Sriracha | 1 year ago
2 likes

I guess it's better than a proprietary fitting, but why would anyone put microUSB on a new product in 2023?

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muhasib replied to IanGlasgow | 1 year ago
0 likes

When the new Stages Dash models were released last year they said they wanted to go to USB C but were constrained by supply chain issues; maybe it's the same for Exposure - certainly would have been helpful to have a comment in the review from the manufacturer on this product choice as I would probably have bought one otherwise when I need to replace my current light.

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Tinbob49 replied to muhasib | 1 year ago
3 likes

What's wrong with micro usb? 
Okay it's not the latest, but all of my bike lights (including the TraceR) run off micro usb and I have zillions of those cables.

All my cateye and exposure lights run off micro usb and it works. I never find myself wondering "ah I wish the cable was different" so I'm genuinely curious what I'm missing out on.

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Secret_squirrel replied to Tinbob49 | 1 year ago
1 like

Its too fiddly.

Many micro usb slots on lights are recessed and a PITA to get the connector into - which will invetiably be upside down the first time you try it.

Cant speak for anyone else but the number of times I've thought it was upside only for it just to have been difficult is also high.

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Sriracha replied to Tinbob49 | 1 year ago
1 like

Sure, micro-usb works, and we've likely all got a few cables kicking around. Meanwhile, the direction of travel is usb-c, even Apple will get there one day.

Inevitably I find I use micro-usb less and less. Given the choice, I'd rather have just one cable type that works for everything, and that will never be micro-usb. So I'd rather not put any more of my money into delaying the day I can finally simplify that little bit of my life. And what Secret_squirrel said.

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Tinbob49 replied to Sriracha | 1 year ago
1 like

I suppose it depends on your perspective - I don't have any devices running on usb C so perhaps I'm behind the curve by thinking a change to UsbC would annoy me because I don't have all the zillions of cables for it. I can't say I find it fiddly either, charging lights has never really been a pain point for me. I just look at the connector and rotate the light accordingly. 

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wycombewheeler replied to Sriracha | 1 year ago
0 likes
Sriracha wrote:

 the direction of travel is usb-c, even Apple will get there one day.

sure, like the direction of travel is for all energy to be dispersed evenly throughout the universe as heat at -270C, but I'm not sure either of these will happen in my lifetime.

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Freshmn09 replied to Tinbob49 | 1 year ago
0 likes

All consumer Electronics [sold intoEU] are by law required to be USB-C by 2024, Exposure had the oportunity to get ahead of the curve just like Knog on some of their newest Frog or Blinder Link, or like Cycliq, 

the biggest benefit of USBC is that its shape would lend itself easily to waterproof molex connector open to the elements so they wouldnt need that rubber band for more than the button.

Avatar
Steve K replied to Freshmn09 | 1 year ago
0 likes
Freshmn09 wrote:

All consumer Electronics [sold intoEU] are by law required to be USB-C by 2024, Exposure had the oportunity to get ahead of the curve just like Knog on some of their newest Frog or Blinder Link, or like Cycliq, 

the biggest benefit of USBC is that its shape would lend itself easily to waterproof molex connector open to the elements so they wouldnt need that rubber band for more than the button.

But we're not bound by that.  A Brexit benefit, according to Rees Mogg.

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to Tinbob49 | 1 year ago
0 likes
Tinbob49 wrote:

What's wrong with micro usb? 
Okay it's not the latest, but all of my bike lights (including the TraceR) run off micro usb and I have zillions of those cables.

All my cateye and exposure lights run off micro usb and it works. I never find myself wondering "ah I wish the cable was different" so I'm genuinely curious what I'm missing out on.

only downside is the need to carry two cables for charging phone and lights, but since my garmin 530 is old enough to have micro usb, it doesn't make much difference. 

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